I haven't touched the printer in several days, mostly out of frustration. About ten minutes ago I placed an order on Amazon for end stops. I'm going to pull out the inductive sensor and add the mechanical switch instead. That, at least, should solve the issue of the z-axis not getting to where it needs to be.

Shockingly I see to have almost everything working. My issue right now is that the beastie is starting prints about 2-3mm above the bed. When I follow your directions (LCD->Control->Motion) I don't see z-offset anywhere in the list. Can't quite figure out what I need to change in the configuration files to get this to print on the right level.

Steps I'm taking to print:
1 - autohome the carriage
2 - disable steppers
3 - move the carriage around the bed, getting it just high enough for there to be resistance for a sheet of card stock paper
4 - load up cura and model, hit print

Now you see why I recommended the Sliding Proximity Sensor mount. This was the Number 1 hardest adjustment to learn how to make correctly.
This adjustment is very easy to get with some kind of adjustment thumbscrew on the Z End-stop or Proximity sensor.

The Z-Axis Proximity sensor Slide Mount - connects to the bottom bearing using the two lowest unused hole in that bearing.

Now you can adjust the SN04-N sensor up an down with a accuracy of a micrometer.
You may have noticed that I have colored the thumb screw this will make it easy for a visual adjustment to be made.
Let me know how you progress.

Here's a link to the Marlin build I'm using (1.1.5, some changes made for the Hictop i3 - like inverting the endstops). I can connect using both Cura and Repetier (which is what I'm using to send gcode commands).
Here's a link to the Marlin build I'm using (1.1.5, some changes made for the Hictop i3 - like inverting the endstops). I can connect now, not sure what the problem was, using both Cura and Repetier (which is what I'm using to send gcode commands).

I've re-installed the inductive sensor, rather than the NO switch endstop. I manually put the nozzle at paper-thickness from the bed, then moved the sensor down until the light just came on, tightened the screws to secure it. I haven't installed the slider yet, however. That's next.

I set an offset (I think) using #define z_probe_offset_from_extruder -2.0

Same issue as before: tell it to home, it sets the nozzle at paper-thickness above the bed; tell it to print, prints 2-3mm above the bed.

// Set the boundaries for probing (where the probe can reach).
#define LEFT_PROBE_BED_POSITION 15
#define RIGHT_PROBE_BED_POSITION 205
#define FRONT_PROBE_BED_POSITION 63
#define BACK_PROBE_BED_POSITION 245 // Watch this number on for the back of bed

It could be!!!
Was told that for some reason and not all the time mind you, the firmware runs thinking It does not need to reload firmware settings.
This only confuses the 3D Printer and the Operator because we know we did it correctly. had it happen to me,
and after I Initialize the Firmware configuration defaults it worked perfectly.